Magdalen Nabb's The Enchanted Horse really is an enchanting story. A quick read originally published as a children's book in 1992, it was a children's choice book for the Smarties Book prize.
"The horse...look at the poor horse. It's being crushed. It's lonely and frightened and being crushed under all those things."
When Irina sees the wooden horse in the junk shop window, all she wants is to take it home with her. For Irina is sad and lonely and she knows that the little horse is too. But Irina doesn't know that the dusty little horse with the tattered mane is really an enchanted horse and that it will change her life forever.
The Independent said about this book, "You need look no further for the perfect storybook for an early reader."
It's a magical read and I have to say that it thoroughly enchanted me, an adult reader, and I'm happy to recommend it for any age. As it begins on a snowy Christmas Eve it also makes the perfect festive season read.
The Enchanted Horse by Magdalen Nabb
ISBN-13 9780 00 674721 5
ISBN-10 000 674721 3
Lauren St John said of Rumer Godden's The Dark Horse that it was "One of the greatest horse books ever written. A warm, moving and highly original classic." And I have to agree, if you've never read it order a copy now, you will not be disappointed.
"All horses can walk - some badly, some well, but to a few is given the gift of movement feline in its grace, a slouching, flowing continuous movement that is a joy to watch. Dark Invader strode in glorious rhythm, his great shoulders rolling, muscles rippling along his flanks under the satin skin."
Dark Invader is a beautifully bred racehorse, but after a disappointing first season he is sold in disgrace and shipped from England to Calcutta. With love and gentle handling 'Darkie' wins the hearts of the people and becomes the firm favourite for India's most famous race, the Viceroy Cup.
But three days before the race. Dark Invader disappears. Can he be found before it is too late?
First published in 1981 Rumer Godden said in an Author's Note:
"This story is taken from an event that happened in Calcutta some fifty years ago and has become a legend in Calcutta's racing circles. It has been published several times in different versions with a variety of characters, but always as an anecdote among other anecdotes. It is documented in the official history of The Royal Calcutta Turf Club, but I have called the Sisters concerned The Sisters of Poverty, because the real Order in the story prefers to remain hidden."
It is a fabulous read and I can't for the life of me think why it hasn't yet been made into a blockbusting, feel good racing film.
The Dark Horse by Rumer Godden
ISBN 978-84408-852-2
No comments:
Post a Comment